2008 Woodie Awards
Brashear House builds new lot
Margaret Hooper
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: News
Tiffany Platte, owner of the Brashear House Bed and Breakfast, began paving the driveway and parking area of her establishment after the Kirksville City Council rescinded her special use permit last Monday for failure to comply with city ordinances.
Platte said that in the eight years since she opened her business, she has been unable to comply with an ordinance that requires her to pave her parking lot because bids for the construction have been as high as $25,000. Platte said that in the last month, however, the city has reduced the size she would need to pave and she has been offered a more affordable rate for the construction.
"We actually began last Friday, and we've been working ... to comply with the city," Platte said.
Platte, who accepted a low-interest loan from the city said she hopes the project's price tag will be less than $6,000. Platte said construction should be complete by the end of the week, weather permitting.
City Manager Mari Macomber said that if Platte paves her driveway, she could have her special use permit reinstated as soon as the next City Council meeting Oct. 20. Currently, Platte's business license is invalid. Macomber emphasized that the City Council had done everything it could to assist Platte by granting her extensions and offering her a low-interest loan. Platte refused to comply with the ordinance until after the City Council rescinded her special use permit.
Macomber said that if the city determines that Platte is continuing to operate her business without a valid license, the city has the option of issuing a notice of violation and taking the matter to court.
"The City Council made a formal action, and for the city staff to ignore that would be inappropriate," Macomber said.
Platte's attorney Cliff Mayberry said he thought they might be able to reach a compromise.
"We're negotiating right now with the city, and that's the best I can tell you right now," Mayberry said. "Hopefully we can keep her open."
Platte said that in the eight years since she opened her business, she has been unable to comply with an ordinance that requires her to pave her parking lot because bids for the construction have been as high as $25,000. Platte said that in the last month, however, the city has reduced the size she would need to pave and she has been offered a more affordable rate for the construction.
"We actually began last Friday, and we've been working ... to comply with the city," Platte said.
Platte, who accepted a low-interest loan from the city said she hopes the project's price tag will be less than $6,000. Platte said construction should be complete by the end of the week, weather permitting.
City Manager Mari Macomber said that if Platte paves her driveway, she could have her special use permit reinstated as soon as the next City Council meeting Oct. 20. Currently, Platte's business license is invalid. Macomber emphasized that the City Council had done everything it could to assist Platte by granting her extensions and offering her a low-interest loan. Platte refused to comply with the ordinance until after the City Council rescinded her special use permit.
Macomber said that if the city determines that Platte is continuing to operate her business without a valid license, the city has the option of issuing a notice of violation and taking the matter to court.
"The City Council made a formal action, and for the city staff to ignore that would be inappropriate," Macomber said.
Platte's attorney Cliff Mayberry said he thought they might be able to reach a compromise.
"We're negotiating right now with the city, and that's the best I can tell you right now," Mayberry said. "Hopefully we can keep her open."
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